The increasingly fuzzy line between hybrid categories is exemplified by the GWM Haval H6. Available in both hybrid (HEV) and “super hybrid” PHEV forms, the H6 blurs the line between the two by filtering a key piece of super hybrid tech down into the standard version.
The GWM Haval H6 has rapidly evolved from a promising newcomer into a sophisticated contender in the crowded medium-SUV market. While early incarnations of Chinese SUVs were often easy to dismiss as budget alternatives that lacked refinement, the latest Haval H6 range demonstrates a significant technological leap.
Central to this transformation is the super hybrid technology that originated in the plug-in PHEV models and has now changed the character of the standard hybrid.
The H6 HEV is powered by a 110kW/230Nm 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine and DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) that throws in a 130kW/300Nm electric motor for good measure, for a total combined peak output of 179kW/530Nm.
The bridge between the worlds of standard hybrid and “super” hybrid for the H6 is that DHT.
The GWM Haval H6 has rapidly evolved from a promising newcomer into a sophisticated contender in the crowded medium-SUV market.
This sophisticated hardware was initially a hallmark of advanced PHEVs, designed to manage multiple power sources with seamless efficiency by combining gears (one, two or three of them) and electric motors. By filtering this technology down into the conventional H6 HEV, GWM has endowed the standard hybrid with a remarkably EV-like power delivery.
The integration is refined enough that it can often be genuinely difficult to discern when the internal combustion engine is running. This allows the HEV version to mimic the serene, silent urban driving experience of the PHEV for the vast majority of a daily commute, avoiding the wheezy and unrefined sensation often associated with older hybrid setups.
The super hybrid version of the H6 takes things up a notch… thanks largely to just one man.
The top-spec 2WD H6 HEV Ultra model comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, heads up display, heated and ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, artificial leather upholstery, 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless phone charging.
Despite being the top specification model in the H6 range, the Ultra HEV lands in New Zealand with a sharp $45,990 price tag, although there is also an AWD version that costs $47,490.
As a daily driver, the H6 HEV is an impressive vehicle. While the ride is surprisingly firm for a family SUV, it’s always comfortable and very capable as an urban runabout. But that firm suspension doesn't translate into sharp dynamics, with the H6 having a strong tendency to understeer if you start getting excited.
Value remains the core tenet of the Haval H6, but the definition of that value has shifted.
This is where the super hybrid version of the H6 takes things up a notch… thanks largely to one man. The H6 PHEV has become something of a local hero in GWM’s Australasian line up, thanks to the involvement of former Holden handling expert Rob Trubiani.
Trubiani’s localised tuning of the steering and suspension has transformed the PHEV from a perfectly acceptable vehicle into one that is genuinely good on the road, with a wonderfully compliant, yet strictly controlled, ride and steering that is significantly more accurate and responsive than previous iterations.
The standard HEV will likely benefit from Trubiani’s impressive input, but until we get behind the wheel of that one, the PHEV remains the handling super hero.
The Ultra models in either HEV or PHEV form are impressively luxurious, but both also suffer from the overly sensitive and intrusive driver assists that are the curse of modern vehicles.
Value remains the core tenet of the Haval H6, but the definition of that value has shifted. The 2WD HEV is a budget hero that offers the size and equipment of a much more expensive vehicle, while providing a drive experience that feels like a more expensive plug-in hybrid.
The PHEV range, starting at $49,990 for the 2WD and reaching $53,990 for the AWD, represents a step up in price but arguably provides the most complete version of the H6 vision.
The AWD PHEV is easily the pick of the range, due to the fact it combines the super hybrid power and traction with the localised suspension tuning that makes it a genuinely engaging driver's car.
The filtering of the DHT technology from the PHEV to the HEV has raised the bar for the entire H6 range, ensuring that even the standard hybrid provides a sophisticated and superbly refined driving experience.